Michigan Senate Passes 2027 Budget
This week, the Senate voted to advance a future-facing plan for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. With the costs of gas, groceries, utilities, and other essentials on the rise, Senate Dems’ 2027 state budget proposal works to make life more affordable for Michigan residents by:
- Continuing to invest in programs that work, including the widely popular free school meals program, tax credits for working families, and Rx Kids to support more moms and babies.
- Ensuring transparency and fair pricing for Michigan consumers, taking steps to address the high costs of everyday essentials like car insurance, prescription medications, and the ever-increasing rate of utilities.
- Investing in our workers and local economies by increasing wages for direct care workers, boosting benefits for corrections officers, establishing a new payment fund for child care providers, securing resources for small business development, and strengthening scholarships to help Michiganders get the education they need to land the career they want.
In the face of economic uncertainty, rising costs, and federal funding gaps, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I have put forward high-impact, targeted investments, reflecting our commitment to delivering real solutions for the people of Michigan.
These proposals now head to the House for further consideration. Read more here.
Michigan Senate Advances Record Education Budget
While Washington Republicans have proposed multi-billion dollar cuts to education for the coming school year, Senate Democrats are stepping up and prioritizing Michigan students and teachers over tax cuts for the wealthy. Earlier this week, I was proud to join my colleagues in passing another record education proposal to ensure all those in the classroom have the support they deserve.
For the fourth consecutive year, Senate Dems’ proposal includes a per-pupil increase for a total of $10,300. This investment is paired with a new weighted funding formula that would provide more predictable school funding for years to come, giving districts the ability to make strategic, long-term plans to support student success. Also included are resources to provide free school breakfast and lunch for all students, bolster school safety and mental health efforts, and ensure every child can become a confident, capable reader.
Michigan Senate Passes Package to Put Kids Over Clicks
As we rapidly accelerate into the age of digital and AI advancements, our youth are bearing the brunt of the harmful consequences of Big Tech’s exploitive algorithms. That’s why Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would implement stronger safety measures to prevent social media companies and AI platforms from targeting and exploiting minors.
This week, the Senate passed this package in full, sending it to the House for their consideration. While we wait for them to schedule a vote, I encourage you to take our survey and let me know your thoughts on how social media is impacting our youngest generation — your input can help shape what the final package looks like to ensure we meet the needs of Michigan families.
Diving Into the State of Michigan Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents, just like anyone else, deserve to age in dignity at facilities that provide quality care and clean, safe living conditions. The reality in Michigan, however, is that many residents are not getting the care they need, as highlighted in a hearing I held in the Senate Oversight Committee this past week.
During this hearing, the firsthand testimony of nursing home residents, advocates, and industry experts explained how budget constraints have resulted in negative consequences for these communities. From a lack of staffing that leaves residents unseen for lengthy periods of time to poor food quality and insufficient supplies, like toilet paper and towels, the challenges facing nursing home residents in Michigan are as widespread as they are alarming.
In some circumstances, however, it’s the lack of financial transparency required of these facilities that undermines these issues. Specifically, as testifiers shared, some nursing home owners are using loopholes to funnel their profits into other companies that are involved in the operations of the home. Referred to as “profit tunneling,” this exploitive practice enables ownership to hide profits for their own benefit at the expense of providing residents with quality care.
As Michigan’s rapidly aging population increases demand for these facilities, these are issues that require further attention to address — something I remain committed to working on with stakeholders and colleagues in the weeks ahead. To watch the hearing, click here.
A Snapshot of Other Capitol Activity
Along with working to craft a balanced state budget on time that delivers meaningful relief for Michiganders, my Senate Dem colleagues and I have also been busy driving forward legislation to address critical issues facing residents and communities across the state. This past month, I’m proud to report that we’ve made some progress advancing bills to:
Narrow the gender wage gap — The gender wage gap in Michigan isn’t only one of the worst in the country — it’s growing. To help address this issue, my Senate colleagues and I passed legislation to ban employers from seeking irrelevant information about an applicant’s past pay and credit history while making hiring and compensation decisions. For too long, these practices have contributed to unfair employment-related decisions that unfairly impact women and prevent them from accessing the opportunities and wages they deserve. While it will take a comprehensive effort to close the gender pay gap in Michigan, the legislation we passed last month is a solid step in the right direction.
Support Michigan nurses — Despite already working long shifts, nurses are often forced to stay overtime, which could mean staying for shifts of 16 or more hours. Unable to say no, mandatory overtime isn’t only grueling for nurses, contributing to high burnout rates, but it also poses risks to patients and the care they are provided. To improve working conditions for our nurses and protect Michiganders seeking care, the Michigan Senate passed bipartisan legislation a couple of weeks ago that would end this dangerous practice while also implementing additional safeguards to ensure nurses can get the rest they need.
Combat human trafficking — Building on our previous efforts to address human trafficking in Michigan, Senate Dems are ushering forward a new bill that would help tackle the issue by requiring every hotel and motel in the state to prominently display the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline number. With Michigan positioned at the intersection of many highway corridors and crossing points, this legislation would help victims connect with critical support while also signaling a warning sign to traffickers. Passed out of the Senate last week, this life-saving legislation now heads to the House for consideration.
Virtual Community Conversation
WHEN: Friday, May 8, from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Virtual — Check back here for a link to RSVP
Community Conversation in Williamston
WHEN: Monday, May 18, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Williamston Library, 3845 Vanneter Rd. # 1, Williamston, MI 48895
To stay up to date on all of my upcoming events, check out the event page on my website.
Michigan Chemistry Council
I had the opportunity to speak with members of the Michigan Chemistry Council about how policy decisions at the Capitol impact Michigan’s chemistry industry. I shared updates on legislation I’m working on related to environmental protection, innovation, energy reliability, and clean growth, and I appreciated the chance to hear directly from industry leaders about the challenges and opportunities facing this sector.
Robert L. Green Elementary School Tour
Recently, I was happy to welcome students from Robert L. Green Elementary School to the Capitol, take a photo with them, and introduce them on the Senate floor during session. As my son attends this school, I was especially excited that many of the students I welcomed were his friends!
Taiwan Resolution
Last week, I joined Sens. Shink, Chang, Bayer, Victory, and Huizenga on the Senate floor to celebrate the passage of a resolution strengthening Michigan’s partnership with Taiwan. The resolution supports stronger economic, educational, and technological ties; encourages investment; and backs Taiwan’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
Spring Fishing Season is Here!
Spring fishing is finally here. April 1 marked the official kickoff to the new fishing license year in Michigan. With Michigan hotspots offering some of the best fishing in the country, don’t miss out — grab your gear and hit the water!
Before you do though, make sure to thoroughly review the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations to learn any new regulations that apply to your favorite fishing spots. And of course, make sure your fishing license is up to date. Licenses are affordable and can be bought at many stores or online at Michigan.gov/Fishing.
Planning Spring Yard Projects? Call Before You Dig
Whether you want to install a fence or plant a tree, if spring fever has you itching to do some landscaping projects around the yard that involve digging, remember to first reach out to MISS DIG 811 beforehand so that underground utility lines can be marked for safety.
April is Safe Digging Month, an annual reminder for Michiganders’ legal responsibility to call 811 or head to MISSDIG811.org at least three days before they start a project that involves putting a shovel in the ground. Contacting MISS DIG 811 is free and allows crews to mark buried utility lines in advance to prevent costly damage, service disruptions, and risks of serious injury or death. Learn more here, and happy Spring!
As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance, feel free to contact my office. You can email us at SenSSingh@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-3447.
Sincerely,
Sam Singh
State Senator
District 28